Google Chrome plans to utilize your browsing history for its AI-powered search functionalities.
Google is introducing a new search capability in Chrome aimed at enhancing online content discovery. This feature, termed “History search,” expands beyond traditional page titles and URLs by allowing users to search for specific content within webpages they have previously visited. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), this enhancement aims to simplify finding information, even when specific details are not remembered.
To facilitate this, users can access their browsing history directly through a dedicated History page or by using the address bar with the prefix “@history” followed by search terms. While this feature offers clear utility, there are privacy considerations to address. Google’s update includes a disclaimer acknowledging that utilizing AI for history searches may involve sharing user data, such as search terms and webpage content, to improve its services.
To mitigate privacy concerns, Google encrypts and stores webpage data locally on users’ devices, ensuring accessibility only when History Search is actively enabled. However, to uphold user trust, it is crucial that Google makes History Search an opt-in feature. Mandating its activation by default could potentially raise privacy issues and undermine user confidence. Therefore, allowing users the choice to opt into History Search is essential to balancing its benefits with privacy protections.
